The name Jillian was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. Jillian is based on the Old French given name Guillaume. The name Guillaume was modified into two forms after arriving in England: Gillham and William.

Jillian Early Origins

The surname Jillian was first found in Suffolk where Giliana was listed in the Feet of Fines in 1198. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) Many of the family stayed in Normandy as in the same year, Udon Galien was listed there. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X) Due the the prevalence to the often personal name, the name was scattered in early censuses as show by the Rotuli Hundredorum of 1279 which listed Gilianus de Levekenore Buckinghamshire and Adam filius Jellion in Cheshire. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)

Jillian Spelling Variations

Jillian Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Gillham, Gillam, Gilliam, Gilham, Gillem, Gillum, Giliam, Gwillam, Gwillham, Gwilliam, Gwilham, Gyllham, Gylham and many more.

Jillian Early History

Jillian Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jillian research. Another 189 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1276, 1283, 1379, 1524, 1636, 1682, 1665, 1701, 1690 and 1699 are included under the topic Early Jillian History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jillian Early Notables (pre 1700)

Jillian Early Notables (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Zachariah Gillam (Guillam) (1636-1682) American sea captain involved in the early days of the Hudson's Bay Company. Benjamin Gillam, American sea captain, brother of Zachariah, who in 1665 commanded the Charles which brought Radisson and Groseilliers to England where they began the foundation...

Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jillian Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Jillian or a variant listed above: Benjamin Gillam, a ships carpenter, who made the trip in 1635 and settled in Boston. Susan Gilham made her home in Jamaica in 1661; Susan Gilham settled in Barbados in 1661.

Contemporary Notables of the name Jillian (post 1700)

Contemporary Notables of the name Jillian (post 1700)

Ann Jillian (1950-1980), born Ann Jura Nauseda, American Golden Globe Award winning actress, best known for her role as Cassie Cranston on the 1980s sitcom It's a Living

Shaw, William A. Knights of England A Complete Record from the Earliest Time to the Present Day of the Knights of all the Orders of Chivalry in England, Scotland, Ireland and Knights Bachelors 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print. (ISBN 080630443X).

The Jillian Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Jillian Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.